Final
for this game
Caps hope to end five-game slide in clash with Rangers
Dec 12, 2010 - 3:35 PM (Sports Network) - The Washington Capitals try to avoid their longest losing streak since early 2007 as they visit the New York Rangers, who will also try to bounce back from a loss this evening at Madison Square Garden.The Capitals bring a season-worst five-game slide into this meeting, their first of that length since Nov. 10-21, 2007 under Glen Hanlon. Bruce Boudreau took over coaching duties shortly after that slide but has been unable to get his team on track.
Washington wrapped up a winless four-game homestand (0-3-1) last night with a 3-2 setback to Colorado. It marked the fourth time over the Caps' skid that they have been held to a pair of goals or less.
Mike Knuble had a goal and an assist, and Matt Hendricks also scored for the Capitals. Michal Neuvirth gave up three goals on 26 shots.
"That looked more like our team tonight," Boudreau said. "When things aren't going well, that's what happens. It's on the upswing, not on the downswing. If we have an effort like that again [Sunday], we might get rewarded for it."
Alex Ovechkin failed to score again and now has only two goals in his last 13 games, with the Caps going 5-6-2 in that stretch.
The Capitals haven't lost six in a row since March 21-31, 2007 during a 28-40-14 season, Ovechkin's second in the NHL. Washington won 43 games the next season and the first of three straight Southeast Division titles.
They'll visit the Rangers, who are coming off a 3-1 setback in Columbus on Saturday. The Blue Jackets' Rick Nash scored a pair of third-period goals less than four minutes apart to hand New York only its third loss in eight games.
Henrik Lundqvist gave up all three tallies on 23 shots and wasn't proud of the late goals he gave up.
"The last one, I might as well have stayed on the bench. I don't know where the net is or anything," said Lundqvist. "He made me look pretty stupid there."
Marc Staal scored the only New York goal.
Washington has won four straight and nine of its last 11 versus the Rangers, taking a 5-3 decision in New York on Nov. 9 in the first of four meetings between the club's this season. Hendricks had the game-winning goal and Ovechkin notched two assists to give him 13 goals and 11 assists over 21 career games versus the Blueshirts.
The Capitals have won three straight at MSG.
Washington defenseman Mike Green did not play last night due to the flu and could miss this game as well.
- WASHINGTON: 0
NEW YORK: 7
Final
Dec 12 9:35 PM - WASHINGTON: 0
NEW YORK: 5
End of 2nd
Dec 12 8:38 PM - NY Rangers Short-Handed Goal - Marc Staal (6), at 10:42.
Capitals 0, Rangers 5 2nd - 9:18Dec 12 8:23 PM - NY Rangers Power-Play Goal - Marian Gaborik (9), at 3:07.
Capitals 0, Rangers 3 2nd - 16:53Dec 12 8:03 PM - WASHINGTON: 0
NEW YORK: 1
End of 1st
Dec 12 7:41 PM - WASHINGTON: 0
NEW YORK: 0
1st Period - 20:00
Dec 12 7:08 PM
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